Foil Birds with Foil
If birds or other critters are wreaking havoc on your garden, place strips of aluminum foil under the surface of the dirt and around any plants they’re bothering. They hate the feeling of it under their beaks (who wouldn’t?) and they’ll stay away.
Keep Birds Away from Patios and Pools
Foil can repel birds in another way, too. Hang strips of it (shiny party streamers work, too) from trees and other high points. Its flashiness in the sun bothers their eyes, and they won’t want to come near. If woodpeckers are bothering you, try hanging an aluminum pie plate to the tree where the pests reside. The reflection off the plate will scare the birds away.
Keep Birds Out of Eaves
If pigeons or other birds won’t leave your patio alone, try sprinkling baking soda anywhere they like to perch. They don’t like the feeling of it under their toes! You can also try rolls of sticky-side-out duct tape.
Make Birds Stay Away from Pools
Have a problem with birds always landing in or near your pool? Run fishing line in criss-crossing patterns high over the pool, between two trees, eaves, or other high items. You won’t even be able to see it, but the birds will hate the impediments to their flying and will find somewhere easier to hang out.
Fake It with a Snake or Owl
Keep birds away from your deck, pool, or garden by putting a rubber snake or plastic owl nearby (you can often find them at hardware stores). As they fly overhead, they’ll see the fake predator and won’t land near it. Move the fake around at least once a day so they think it’s real.
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